79 vette battery problem
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
79 vette battery problem
Hey- I bought my '79 T-top vette Dec '09 and put a new battery in. Then I had to replace the battery in Aug '10. Now I am having to replace it again 10 months later. I take it out about once every 10 days.
Should I be worried about a hidden electrical issue or is this usual for an older model car?
Should I be worried about a hidden electrical issue or is this usual for an older model car?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
When you take it out every 10 days. Im assuming the vette not the battery? Do you drive for a good long run like an hour or so? If not you may not be charging the battery enough. I would try a small battery maintainer, they are cheap and easy to use.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: Warwick New York
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
This is not usual for an older car. Taking it out only once every 10 days is not helping the situation, I would try a battery tender type of device to cancel that possibility. I would also check the charging system, you should show about 13 to 13.7 volts while running, if you charge higher
you can cook a battery!
you can cook a battery!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Does your car have the courtesy light option? If so, the courtesy light timer could be bad and some interior lights (and the spare tire light) may not be going off or even be coming on at odd times, thus draining the battery.
The '78 I owned had this problem...I wasn't aware what causing the occasional drained battery until I noticed in the middle of the night the car's interior lights were on. Changing the timer fixed the problem.
The '78 I owned had this problem...I wasn't aware what causing the occasional drained battery until I noticed in the middle of the night the car's interior lights were on. Changing the timer fixed the problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,166
Likes: 0
From: wilton ct.
my 79 battery will go dead in about 3 wks. if not driven...I solved that by installing a battery disconnect switch.....my battery is always fully charged and ready to go, even if not driven in months....one of these days, I'll tackle the problem......
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
Grounding or internally corroded original cables . Very common . The cable looks good , but actually poor shape inside .with high resistance.
Replacing my batt cables solved all my starting issues, batt replacement. I also put new connectors plug on at the alternator .
No issues in 5 years. Batt stays charged starts no matter how hot it is outside or how long the engine has been runnning.
Replacing my batt cables solved all my starting issues, batt replacement. I also put new connectors plug on at the alternator .
No issues in 5 years. Batt stays charged starts no matter how hot it is outside or how long the engine has been runnning.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I did the same thing on my '80. it works for now, and I swear I'll fix it eventually, it's on my to do list. Yeah, that's it,...my to do list.....
Scott
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 632
Likes: 38
From: Roseville CA
My '80 battery will be dead in less than two weeks if it is not driven. I use a Battery Tender with the quick connect/disconnect cable attached to the battery. It makes it easy to plug in and disconnect, and the battery always has a full charge.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Topeka Kansas
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14,’18
Do the same thing. Not had battery problems since.
Mike
